Recipe

5 Green Foods To Start Your Unofficial With

By Angela Kerndl at University of Illinois

Waking up at 6:00 in the morning to binge drink is only truly acceptable one day a year at UIUC. That day this year is Friday, March 3, which is also known as Unofficial. You definitely will not want to start this day-long event on an empty stomach, so we've got you covered. 

The following is a list of the top green foods that will start your Friday of skipping classes to get drunk off right. Pair your breakfast with one of these seven genius ways to make green beer without food coloring and you'll be set for a fun day ahead.

Spinach Muffins

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Servings: 12
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 banana
  • 3/4 cup spinach
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup honey

Angela Kerndl

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

Angela Kerndl

Step 2

Blend the rest of the ingredients until smooth with a blender. Stir the green mixture in with the dry mixture.

Angela Kerndl

Step 3

Prepare a muffin tin and add about 2 tablespoons of dough to each.

Angela Kerndl

Step 4

Place them in the oven for 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Angela Kerndl

These muffins aren't as bad as they sound! Although there's spinach in them, these muffins are actually pretty sweet.

You'll definitely need lots of vitamins and minerals to boost your defenses when you start drinking this Friday. Leafy greens, like spinach and kale, are perfect to eat before going out. Spinach contains the protein, iron, vitamins and minerals your body needs to prepare for Unofficial.

Green Pepper and Fried Eggs

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 7 mins
  • Servings: 3
Ingredients
  • 1 large bell pepper
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • salt and pepper

Angela Kerndl

Step 1

Slice the pepper.

Angela Kerndl

Step 2

Heat up a little bit of butter on a frying pan. Place the green peppers in the pan.

Angela Kerndl

Step 3

Crack each egg open and pour it into the clover shaped green pepper. Let the eggs cook all the way through on medium heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle cheese on top (optional).

Angela Kerndl

These look like four-leaf clovers, so that's adorable. Eggs are perfect to eat before a day of drinking because they contain the amino acid needed for your body to break down alcohol. Eggs are also one of the best foods to cure a hangover, making them an awesome post-Unofficial snack, too. 

Green Pancakes

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 12 mins
  • Servings: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon green liquid food coloring

Angela Kerndl

Step 1

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the wet ingredients and whisk.

Angela Kerndl

Step 2

In a medium-sized pan, pour out some of the mix. Cook on medium heat.

Angela Kerndl

Step 3

Flip when cooked through. Serve with butter and syrup (optional).

Angela Kerndl

While there's not much nutritional value to these pancakes, they are pretty festive, and therefore a perfect way to start your Unofficial. 

Avocado Toast

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 avocado
  • 2 slices bread
  • salt and pepper

Angela Kerndl

Step 1

Toast the bread. Dice the avocado and add it to the toast. Use a fork to mash. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Angela Kerndl

Avocado toast is as basic as it gets, but who cares. Avocado is filled with healthy fats and is digested more slowly than carbs, meaning it's the perfect thing to eat before binge drinking. Feel free to add an egg to this for additional nutritional value.  

Green Smoothie

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 cup kale
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 banana
  • 1/3 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1/2 cup orange juice

Angela Kerndl

Step 1

Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Angela Kerndl

Step 2

Optional: Add frozen fruits to sweeten.

Angela Kerndl

Fuel your body up with nutrients and electrolytes from a green smoothie to keep yourself hydrated before you head out the door Friday morning. For additional ideas, check out How to Make a Perfect Green Smoothie.

And to avoid stumbling down Green Street before noon, check out what other foods are a must before drinking, to ensure a safe Unofficial celebration.